President Bola Tinubu has officially modified the clemency initially granted to Maryam Sanda, a convict who received a death sentence in 2017 for the tragic murder of her husband. Sanda's name had appeared on an earlier list of individuals slated for release from prison this month, which subsequently sparked widespread public outrage and led to its withdrawal. Prince Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and head of the committee that recommended clemency for several convicts, had announced that the list would undergo further rigorous scrutiny.
Revised Clemency: Death Sentence to 12 Years' Imprisonment
In a newly released, revised list on Wednesday, Maryam Sanda's name was notably re-categorized under "reduced terms of imprisonment." Her original death sentence has now been commuted to 12 years. Given that she has already spent seven years behind bars, Sanda is now expected to serve approximately five more years in prison, marking a significant turn in her high-profile legal battle.
High-Profile Conviction in Domestic Dispute Case
Maryam Sanda's conviction for the culpable homicide of her husband remains one of Nigeria's most prominent cases involving domestic violence and spousal murder. She was found guilty of stabbing her husband to death during a domestic dispute at their Abuja home. Throughout her trial before an FCT High Court, Sanda consistently maintained her innocence, leading to a protracted legal battle that captivated national attention. In January 2020, Justice Yusuf Halilu delivered the verdict, finding her guilty and sentencing her to death by hanging. Prior to this commutation, she had spent six years and eight months at the Suleja Medium Security Custodial Centre.